Ladakh

India

Ladakh Travel Guide

Situated in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir,
Ladakh is a mountainous region of extreme natural beauty. Ringed by
rugged mountains, Ladakh is inaccessible by road between November
and May - although hair-raising flights, that weave between icy
mountain peaks, still operate during this time between Delhi and
Leh. Known as 'little Tibet', Ladakh's primary draw card - apart
from its outstanding scenery - is its strong Buddhist culture,
which, due to its isolation, has remained largely unaffected by the
ravages of colonialism and modernity.

Popular tourist destinations in Ladakh include Leh and Kargil, a
town known for its ancient Buddhist statues and bright apricot
orchards. Although Jammu and Kashmir has a reputation for being a
'dangerous' state, Ladakh is in fact a very peaceful place, a
veritable 'Shangri-La', having seen virtually no violence since
India gained her independence in 1947. For experienced,
well-conditioned hikers, Ladakh is the perfect place from which to
plan a trek into neighbouring Tibet.

An extremely popular tourist destination, Leh was the historical
capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, and remains, to this day, the
perfect base from which to explore the region. In many ways a
prototypical tourist town - chock-full of backpacker accommodation,
roof-top restaurants, internet cafes and curio stalls - Leh's
remarkable setting, in the heart of the Indus Valley, safeguards
its thoroughly unique character. At almost 11,500 feet (3,500m)
above sea-level, visitors might be forgiven for thinking that the
cobalt hue of the sky above Leh is actually an effect of altitude
sickness; medication for altitude sickness is a must. In the town
itself, modern buildings give way dramatically to traditional
mud-brick and timber structures. A must-see tourist attraction in
Leh is the ruined Royal Palace: constructed in the 17th century at
the foot of the Himalayas, the views it commands of the Indus
Valley and its surrounding peaks are simply out-of-this-world.

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Ladakh Travel Guide

Situated in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir,
Ladakh is a mountainous region of extreme natural beauty. Ringed by
rugged mountains, Ladakh is inaccessible by road between November
and May - although hair-raising flights, that weave between icy
mountain peaks, still operate during this time between Delhi and
Leh. Known as 'little Tibet', Ladakh's primary draw card - apart
from its outstanding scenery - is its strong Buddhist culture,
which, due to its isolation, has remained largely unaffected by the
ravages of colonialism and modernity.

Popular tourist destinations in Ladakh include Leh and Kargil, a
town known for its ancient Buddhist statues and bright apricot
orchards. Although Jammu and Kashmir has a reputation for being a
'dangerous' state, Ladakh is in fact a very peaceful place, a
veritable 'Shangri-La', having seen virtually no violence since
India gained her independence in 1947. For experienced,
well-conditioned hikers, Ladakh is the perfect place from which to
plan a trek into neighbouring Tibet.

An extremely popular tourist destination, Leh was the historical
capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, and remains, to this day, the
perfect base from which to explore the region. In many ways a
prototypical tourist town - chock-full of backpacker accommodation,
roof-top restaurants, internet cafes and curio stalls - Leh's
remarkable setting, in the heart of the Indus Valley, safeguards
its thoroughly unique character. At almost 11,500 feet (3,500m)
above sea-level, visitors might be forgiven for thinking that the
cobalt hue of the sky above Leh is actually an effect of altitude
sickness; medication for altitude sickness is a must. In the town
itself, modern buildings give way dramatically to traditional
mud-brick and timber structures. A must-see tourist attraction in
Leh is the ruined Royal Palace: constructed in the 17th century at
the foot of the Himalayas, the views it commands of the Indus
Valley and its surrounding peaks are simply out-of-this-world.